Insider tabs AFC West team as candidate to 'break through' into AFC elite

Will the Los Angeles Chargers exceed expectations this season and become a legitimate contender in the AFC?

"There's a handful of [AFC] teams that are sort of in that second tier below Kansas City, Cincinnati and Buffalo," Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer recently said, via the team website. "I think there are teams capable of breaking through, and the Chargers are one of those teams."

Despite a roster filled with stars, such as quarterback Justin Herbert wide receiver Keenan Allen and outside linebacker Joey Bosa, Los Angeles hasn't captured a playoff victory since the 2019 postseason. Last season in the wild-card round against Jacksonville, they blew a 27-point lead in a 31-30 loss.

However, injuries stifled the Chargers' potential last season. Allen missed seven games with a left hamstring strain, while Bosa missed 12 with a groin tear. Herbert fractured his rib cartilage in Week 4 but played through the injury. If these critical pieces stay healthy, it could make a huge difference.

"It's going to be interesting to see whether they can stay healthy over the course of the year, first and foremost," Breer said. "And whether or not the players who have been really good players here for a while can take the team to the next level."

Per NFL Research, Los Angeles 2023 schedule is tied for the 12-the-most difficult in the NFL. And they're in the same division as the Kansas City Chiefs, the reigning Super Bowl champions.

Yet oddsmakers remain bullish on the Chargers. They have the 10th-best Super Bowl odds and an over-under win total of 9.5 games, via OddsChecker.

So don't be surprised if the Chargers make a deep playoff run this season and possibly start to disrupt the AFC hierarchy.